XIT (band)

XIT is a Native American rock band that released two albums in the 1970s on the Motown label. The band had previously released an LP as "Lincoln Street Exit" on the Mainstream label in early 1970.

History[]

XIT, originally based in Albuquerque, New Mexico was founded by A. Michael Martinez (singer and lead guitar on Plight), Mac Suazo (narrator and bass on Plight), Lee Herrerra (drums on Plight), and R. C. Gariss (2nd lead guitar on Plight). The most recent members of XIT were, Willie Bluehouse Johnson (Lead guitar) P.J. West (Drums, percussion to include timpani), Louie Running Wolf (bass guitar) and Jim Boyd (lead guitar). Original Xit has released 6 CDs since 2006, "eXit From the REZ" (2006), "No eXit" (2007), "eXit nOw" (2008), "neXt eXit" (2009), "The Red Album" (2010) and "Forty Years" (2011). Obie Sullivan played keyboards 1971-1975.

"XIT" stands for "crossing of Indian Tribes", according to Tom Bee.^[1] Their music often addresses themes of historic and contemporary Native American issues. Their initial recording, 1972's Plight of the Redman, is a concept album about the changes in Native American life since the arrival of Columbus.

Albums[]

• Plight of the Redman, 1972
• Silent Warrior, 1973
• Entrance, 1974 (Lincoln Street Exit; early work from the sixties)
• Rainbow Rider, 1976 (A Firedrum Production, Produced & Directed By Tom Bee)
• Relocation, 1978
• Drums Across the Atlantic, 1985 (Recorded February 6, 1981 - The Tropica Club, Luzern, Switzerland)
• Without Reservation, 2002
• eXit From the REZ, 2006
• No eXit, 2007
• eXit nOw, 2008
• neXt eXit, 2009
• Wanted Alive, 2009
• The Red Album, 2010
• Forty Years, 2011

References[]

External links[]

• Tom Bee's Sound of America Records
• XIT on Allmusic.com